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 Science can be thought of as the gaining of knowledge not previously known, by means of research and/or observation. Information not previously known can be obtained regularly by observing behaviors elicited by individual specimens or groups of species. Many times, zoos work with rare or unusual species about which very little is known in terms of natural history or reproduction. In these cases, virtually everything observed in the captive environment can be important. Reliably documenting and publishing this information is critical to the worldwide databank of knowledge.
 Research can take many forms at the zoo. For instance, researchers and/or veterinarians may study the dietary intake of a particular species of monkey, with the hope of creating a more-appropriate diet that will better approximate the diet in the wild. Chewing motions and chewing frequency can be observed and documented to determine which musculature is needed for such actions. Blood samples can be taken to determine the presence or absence of blood-borne pathogens or parasites. Also, blood chemistries can be taken to determine what is normal for that particular species. In this way, the cause of a problem in the future can be more accurately determined.
 Research in the reproductive realm is now becoming much more commonplace in some zoos. This research might take the form of determining what an appropriate-sized social grouping is for a particular species of frog, or might use much more sophisticated equipment, such as in the case of cryopreservation, also called "tissue banking." This consists of freezing tissues including sperm, eggs, and embryos for future use.
 The tissues are frozen in liquid nitrogen at extremely cold temperatures (approximately -196 degrees C), and are later thawed used when needed. Although Detroit Zoo is not yet involved in such advanced reproductive efforts, tissue samples are often collected and preserved for future use. Domestic species, such as dogs and cats, are not the only animals for which studbooks are maintained. Zoo professionals now maintain studbooks for many mammals, birds, reptiles, amphibians, fish . . . and even snails! These studbooks list the origins of all zoo or aquarium specimens of a given species, as well as any offspring that they have produced. The staff at the Detroit Zoo is proud to have authored 7 studbooks to date, for various mammals, birds, and reptiles.
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